Saturday 31 October 2015 10:45, UK
Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha believes his nightmare spell at Manchester United has given him a bad reputation he does not deserve.
The 22-year-old had a troubled two-year stay at Old Trafford in which he never made a Premier League start, playing in just four games, and was loaned out three times following a £15m move from Crystal Palace.
Zaha says he was ignored by both Sir Alex Ferguson and his successor David Moyes, but he feels rejuvenated back at Selhurst Park under Alan Pardew.
"As soon as anybody sees me now, people think: 'Wilfried Zaha, bad attitude'. I don't understand why," Zaha told a group of national newspapers on Saturday.
"The thing that really frustrated me about the whole United thing was the fact that people didn't know what actually went on at the training ground.
"I was disappointed when Sir Alex retired. I was looking forward to working with him but I was not going to beg him to come back on my account. I just had to get on with it.
"I think I did OK in pre-season but as soon as Moyes came he said I wasn't ready for the Premier League. I never got a response really. I didn't really understand it.
"The only thing that I could think of was the bad game against Wigan in the Community Shield. It stresses me out if I mess up - I beat myself up - but I just thought: 'you have seen me play in pre-season and you have seen that I am at least decent enough to score a goal or something'. But from there, he just stopped playing me."
Zaha has made 29 appearances since returning to Palace in February this year, and could feature against Man United when the two sides meet on Saturday.
"Alan Pardew doesn't treat me like a robot. I live my life fine now. I don't live and be scared of what might happen. I just come play," Zaha added.
"It's not all bad for me, I haven't faded away. I'm still playing - I'm still getting a chance. Going to Manchester United you're expected to be the final product. That's what it felt like."
